The Stakes are High

The constitutionally-required census is among the most important civil rights issues of our day.

Historically, the census has missed certain communities—including people of color, urban and rural low-income households, and young children—at disproportionately high rates.

Being undercounted deprives these communities of equal political representation and private and public resources.

THE CITIZENSHIP QUESTION

Adding an unnecessary and intrusive question about citizenship to the census form that goes to all households will discourage participation and threatens the accuracy of the count, especially in already “hard-to-count” communities.

This question is opposed by civil rights groups and is currently being challenged in the courts.

A CLIMATE OF FEAR

Political rhetoric and government activity by the current administration has created a climate of fear that could depress participation in many communities. Many people will be reluctant to provide personal information voluntarily to the government.

TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES

2020 marks the first high-tech census ever. Modernizing the census is important, but technology also brings cybersecurity threats, real or perceived, and the challenge of the digital divide.

The Stakes are High

WHY THE CENSUS MATTERS

The constitutionally-required census is among the most important civil rights issues of our day.

Historically, the census has missed certain communities—including people of color, urban and rural low-income households, and young children—at disproportionately high rates.

Being undercounted deprives these communities of equal political representation and private and public resources.

THE CITIZENSHIP QUESTION

Adding an unnecessary and intrusive question about citizenship to the census form that goes to all households will discourage participation and threatens the accuracy of the count, especially in already “hard-to-count” communities.

This question is opposed by civil rights groups and is currently being challenged in the courts.

A CLIMATE OF FEAR

Political rhetoric and government activity by the current administration has created a climate of fear that could depress participation in many communities. Many people will be reluctant to provide personal information voluntarily to the government.

TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES

2020 marks the first high-tech census ever. Modernizing the census is important, but technology also brings cybersecurity threats, real or perceived, and the challenge of the digital divide.

Census Resources

Sign the Pledge

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#SaveTheCensus: Show your support by signing the pledge to advocate for a fair and accurate count.

With the addition of the untimely and untested citizenship question, the challenges posed by the first high-tech census, and a climate of fear that could depress participation in many communities, the 2020 Census is at risk.

An inaccurate census could shortchange operations and resources needed to address the hardest-to-count communities, denying millions of low income and rural households, immigrant communities, people of color, and young children of public and private resources and fair representation.

Mapping Hard to Count (HTC) Communities

Use this interactive map to search by state, county, Congressional district, or state legislative district; enhance your educational campaign supporting an adequate Census budget; and zoom in on any tract in the nation to see its hard-to-count profile.